Lost hikers rescued from Chittenango Falls State Park

The Dispatch Staff

Published 12:00 am, Sunday, January 29, 2012

CHITTENANGO - A few tense moments ended in skilled rescue Saturday evening at the Chittenango Falls State Park on State Route 13.

Madison County Sheriff's Deputies and New York State Park Police received a call stating a pair of hikers was lost in the park just before 6 p.m. Saturday. Upon arrival, deputies communicated with the Madison County 911 Center to get a better location of the hikers, as 911 Center personnel were in contact with one of the hikers via cell phone.

The hikers, 22-year-old Brian Abramowitz, of Commack, and 22-year-old Jenna Goldberg, of Jericho, had been trying to find their way out of the park for nearly three hours when they called 911 for help.

Deputies drove their vehicles in the area with their emergency lights on until the hikers could see the flashes of the emergency lights, and made their way to the side of a sharp, steep hill that parallels Chittenango Creek, just north of the main park entrance. Deputies established communication with the pair and provided instructions so they would remain safe.

Chittenango, along with North Chittenango, Cazenovia, and Lincoln Fire Departments responded when the call for a rope rescue was issued. An aerial ladder truck from Chittenango Fire Department was deployed and extended the ladder over the fast flowing creek. Rope rescue personnel crossed the creek and climbed up the hill on the other side, guiding the hikers across the ladder and to a waiting ambulance.

The hikers were evaluated on the scene by Cazenovia Area Volunteer Ambulance Corp. due to their prolonged exposure. They were not transported to a hospital as both refused further medical treatment.